Synonym Chooser

How is the word stupendous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of stupendous are monstrous, prodigious, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

In what contexts can monstrous take the place of stupendous?

The words monstrous and stupendous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness.

the monstrous waste of the project

When is prodigious a more appropriate choice than stupendous?

Although the words prodigious and stupendous have much in common, prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size).

made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside

Where would tremendous be a reasonable alternative to stupendous?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupendous, tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe.

the tremendous roar of the cataract

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stupendous The sun was oppressive and Ostapenko was stupendous. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 July 2025 Once that's accomplished, though, the movie is a happy thrill ride, a string of stupendous (and stupendously silly) scenes in which the mutants go after the castaways. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 30 June 2025 No amount of over-tourism, or depopulation, or high water — all of which plague this stupendous town — can change that. Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 Their seven wins largely stem from stupendous pitching performances. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stupendous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupendous
Adjective
  • The outpouring from the community has been wonderful, and everyone has been willing to help, though there isn’t much anyone can do at the moment, according to Guzauskas.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Jalen Coker, a second-year receiver who’s had a wonderful camp, will play Thursday.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Get out to Pilsen or Little Village for authentic Mexican food, amazing street art, and unique shops; explore the boutiques and fine dining options in neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, or the Gold Coast; visit the pedestrian mall in Chinatown.
    Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • My heart goes out to all our amazing wildlife care specialists who have suffered losses this week.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Its share price has spiked an astonishing 365% year to date, including a 150% surge in just over a month. MP’s market cap has risen from just over $2 billion to $13 billion, entering large-cap territory—not bad for a company that brought in just $204 million in revenue last year.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Kirkpatrick’s final estimate is an astonishing $3.4 billion.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But leaning into the miraculous, improbable achievement of an online actual play series selling out MSG, the cast and crew were determined to do it up.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025
  • And a couple of weeks later, those conversations paid off in Sporting’s somewhat miraculous win over the L.A. Galaxy.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The Encore® family of azaleas stands apart from all others with their incredible reblooming ability, sun tolerance, and cold hardiness.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The Hubble Telescope and its Wide Field Camera 3 got an incredible view of the comet named 3I/ATLAS, which came from beyond our solar system, on July 21 when the object was 277 million miles (445 million kilometers) from Earth.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But Washington, born of a compromise between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, wasn’t supposed to be a marvelous place to live and work.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025
  • This is a marvelous day because both Venus and lucky Jupiter are lined up in your sign!
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That being said, a new update has shared a potential surprising outcome to the situation.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • When Janssen asked why, the man had a surprising answer.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As guests enter the suite, they are immediately struck by a feature bar and stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip with all of its glitz and glamour.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The stunning display is caused by solar particles interacting with Earth’s magnetic field, and tonight's conditions are just right for the colors to be seen dancing across the sky — weather permitting.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stupendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupendous. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

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